SINGAPORE — The National Heritage Board (NHB) officially named the Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque as the 68th national monument in Singapore today (Dec 18).
Erected in 1932, the building was one of two mosques built by the Alkaffs, a prominent Arab family in Singapore. The Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque, which is managed by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), is now the sixth mosque gazetted as a national monument.
“Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque is a testimony of the Arab community’s landholdings and philanthropic acts in early Singapore,” said the NHB, adding that it is the only landmark by the Alkaffs that has remained intact over the years.
According to the NHB, the mosque managed to retain “most of its earliest structure” despite expansions and renovations and there were efforts towards restoring the building’s old design. MUIS’ director of mosques Mohd Helmy Isa expressed his delight at the status accorded to the mosque.
“Working with the Mosque Management Committee, we were able to conserve features and preserve its heritage while adding to its functionality to meet the needs of its growing congregants. With the preservation, Alkaff Upper Serangoon Mosque will continue to be a hub of activities for the local Muslim community,” he said.